The deal with ESPN builds on Tough Mudder’s growing profile of broadcast partners

Tough Mudder has appointed ESPN’s TV rights division to handle the international distribution of its broadcast video rights, as the competitive event series continues its global growth.

ESPN Media Distribution will serve as the international distributor for Tough Mudder’s global digital and linear broadcast video rights for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

The programming includes the 24-hour extreme endurance event 'World’s Toughest Mudder' as well as the six-part series 'Toughest Mudder' and original content such as 'The Challenge Within', which looks at stories of “everyday heroes” who overcome their own mental and physical hurdles.

Commenting on deal Tough Mudder’s co-founder and chief executive, Will Dean, said: “As a leader in multi-video platform content in the sports and active lifestyle industries, we are thrilled to team with another premier leader in sports media, ESPN, to further expand our global video distribution footprint and bring Tough Mudder action and inspirational stories to hundreds of millions more people worldwide.”

The partnership builds on Tough Mudder’s growing profile of broadcast partners Including CW Network and CBS Sports, which agreed a two-year deal to show World’s Toughest Mudder race starting with the 2017 instalment of the series.

Earlier this year the series followed this up with a media partnership with Sky Sports, further highlighting the surging popularity and commercial opportunities around participation fitness events.